An Introduction to the Prose and Poetical Works of John Milton / Comprising All the Autobiographic Passages in His Works, the More Explicit Presentations of His Ideas of True Liberty.

by John Milton

P. [58]. anything elaborately composed: he had his meditated great work in mind.

P. [59]. another task: poetical composition.

P. [59]. empyreal conceit: lofty conceit of himself.

P. [59]. envy: odium; Lat. invidia.

P. [60]. Ariosto (Lodovico): Italian poet; b. 1474, d. 1533; author of the Orlando Furioso.

P. [60]. Bembo (Pietro): b. 1470, d. 1547; secretary to Pope Leo X.; Cardinal, 1539; famous as a Latin scholar.

P. [60]. wits: geniuses.

P. [61]. Tasso (Torquato): Italian poet; b. 1544, d. 1595; author of the Gerusalemme Liberata (Jerusalem Delivered).

P. [61]. a prince of Italy: Alfonso II., Duke of Ferrara?

P. [61]. Godfrey's expedition against the Infidels: the subject of Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered; Godfrey of Bouillon, leader of the first crusade; b. about 1058, d. 1100.